THIS MONTH IN NPG ASIA MATERIALS

Volume 9, April 2017

April 21 2017

Original Article

Phase separation of composite materials through simultaneous polymerization and crystallization

Kosuke Sato, Yuya Oaki and Hiroaki Imai

NPG Asia Mater 9: e377; doi:10.1038/am.2017.53

Phase separation based on simultaneous polymerization and crystallization generated the segregated composite of organic crystals and conductive polymers in submicrometer scale. The phase-segregated structure of redox-active conductive polymer and quinone crystal showed the enhanced charge-storage properties based on the smooth redox reaction.

A 3D-printed scaffold with MoS2 nanosheets for tumor therapy and tissue regeneration

A bifunctional scaffold was successfully prepared by in situ growth of MoS2 nanosheets on the 3D-printed bioceramic scaffolds via a facile hydrothermal process. The prepared scaffolds exhibit an excellent capability for both tumor therapy and tissue regeneration, offering a promising clinical strategy for effective treatment of tumor-induced tissue defects.

The BN-carbon separator was first demonstrated as a multifunctional trilayer membrane to facilitate the better electrochemical performances of Li-S batteries and protect a Li anode from unexpected side reactions. Unlike the previous approach to block the polysulfides only within the cathodic side, the concept of placing a BN interlayer on anodic side showed promising results in achieving high electrochemical performances of Li-S batteries and stable operations of lithium metal at a high current density.

Single crystals of caesium formamidinium lead halide perovskites: solution growth and gamma dosimetry

Here we report an inexpensive, solution-phase growth of cm-scale single crystals of variable composition CsxFA1−xPbI3−yBry (FA=formamidinium, x=0–0.1, y=0–0.6), which exhibit improved phase stability compared to the parent α-FAPbI3 compound. High-carrier mobility–lifetime product of up to 1.2 × 10−1cm2V−1 and a low dark carrier density, combined with the high absorptivity of high-energy photons by Pb and I, allow the sensitive detection of gamma radiation. With stable operation up to 30V, these novel perovskite materials have been used in a prototype of a gamma-counting dosimeter.

Inspired by mussel chemistry, a novel polydopamine–polyacrymide hydrogel simultaneously possesses super stretchability, stimuli-free self-healing properties, cell affinity and tissue adhesiveness. The current hydrogel lasts its adhesiveness for a long term, and can be repeatedly adhered on/stripped from a variety of substrates. The hydrogel can host various nano-building blocks and be tuned to magnetic and conductive hydrogels with above-mentioned properties.

April 07 2017

Review

Engineering protein nanocages as carriers for biomedical applications

Sathyamoorthy Bhaskar and Sierin Lim

NPG Asia Mater 9: e371; doi:10.1038/am.2016.128

Formed by the self-assembly of protein subunits, protein nanocages can be engineered at the interior, exterior, and inter-subunit locations. Each type of modification can be tuned for specific biological applications. Multiple-modifications can be imparted to these nanocages without compromising its self-assembling property, creating multi-functional protein nanocage platforms. Potential applications of the modified protein nanocages include targeted delivery in complex cellular environments for therapeutic and diagnostic agents as well as modulation of cellular responses.